05 June 2001

It is most appropriate that on World Environment Day this year, the International Year of Volunteers 2001 (IYV 2001), that the Global Environment Facility (GEF) pays tribute to the individuals who donate their time and expertise to the Small Grants Program National Steering Committees. We congratulate GEF for this worthwhile initiative that correctly taps the potential of volunteers at the community level. These volunteers deserve maximum recognition -- a main objective of IYV 2001. Millions of volunteers working on environmental issues and countless other areas are joining in this year to help raise awareness of the power of volunteer action in its myriad forms worldwide.

The United Nations Volunteers programme (UNV) -- the volunteer arm of the United Nations -- was created by the UN General Assembly in 1970. Since that time, more than 20,000 UN Volunteers from some 150 developing and industrialized nations have worked in about 140 countries. Currently, two-thirds are citizens of developing countries. The environment has remained a priority area for UNV, reflecting a long tradition of participatory and grassroots approaches to environmental issues, where UNV has a natural niche. Indeed, one of the very first UN Volunteers, in 1971, worked as a wildlife conservationist in rural Chad.

The environmental movement has been built mainly on the efforts and commitment of thousands of volunteers in rich and poor countries alike. It is thus timely that, in the context of the IYV 2001, World Environment Day celebrates and recognizes volunteer achievements in protecting and regenerating the environment.

GEF's very successful Small-Grants Programme (SGP) provides grants to non-governmental organizations and community groups for small-scale activities demonstrating community-based approaches and strategies that reduce threats to the global environment. Volunteers make substantive contributions to its operations as SGP National Committee members, community promoters and educators, scientists, project managers and fund-raisers. These volunteers represent one of the best living examples of the slogan, "Think Globally, Act Locally", which has come to characterize the international environmental movement.

A team of international and national UN Volunteers is currently working in the Caribbean to build the capacity of local civil society organizations in project management, proposal development, participatory techniques and resource mobilization. Under the umbrella of the SGP programme, these UN Volunteers aim to increase the participation and empowerment of local communities, using sustainable environmental practices as an entry point into their human development processes. It is our modest contribution to a tremendous cause and an effective programme. We are most proud to be associated with the Small Grants Program.

As focal point for the International Year of Volunteers, UNV expresses its sincere appreciation to you, the SGP National Steering Committee volunteers on World Environment Day, for the fine work you carry out in your countries and through you the UN acknowledges the importance of voluntary action in support of sustainable development. We challenge you to continue your efforts for the benefit of generations to come.